According to foreign media reports, global copper mining giant Antofagasta has initiated mid-year negotiations with smelters in China and Japan. Sources revealed that due to tight copper concentrate supply, smelters may request a "US$0" treatment charge (TC/RCs) for the second half of 2025. This unprecedented offer represents a 100% plunge from the 2024 benchmark price of US$80 per metric ton (mt) and could potentially turn negative. The sharp decline in copper concentrate TCs stems from the shutdown of First Quantum's Cobre Panama copper mine and a surge in China's smelting capacity, leading to a supply-demand imbalance. On May 16, the spot copper concentrate TC fell to a historic low of negative US$59.1/mt. Analysts believe that if the zero-TC scenario materializes, small and medium-sized smelters will face a survival crisis, while miners' bargaining power will further strengthen.